“I have instructions to resolve this matter by way of guilty plea,” Fay told Ackerl.

The surprise move came after Heerema had earlier pleaded not guilty to 20 sex-abuse related charges involving teenage boys with the Calgary Stampede performance troupe and was in the middle of his trial.

Among the charges Heerema, 55, faces are four of making child pornography, two of accessing it, one of possessing child pornography, five of internet luring and three of sexual exploitation.

All those offences carry minimum sentences of one year in prison under the Criminal Code if the Crown proceeds by indictment, although some of those provisions have been ruled unconstitutional by some courts.

Fay said a guilty plea will be entered Tuesday, after O’Connor prepares a statement of agreed facts for Ackerl.

He said he will then be asking for an out-of-custody psychiatric assessment, meaning a sentencing hearing won’t take place for several months.

But he said he and O’Connor are in agreement on an appropriate punishment.

“There will be a joint submission for sentence,” Fay said.

The move comes after Ackerl heard evidence from several men who testified they came into contact with Heerema in the course of his employment with the Young Canadians.

Heerema was the business administrator for the performing troupe for the Calgary Stampede’s annual Grandstand show until he resigned in February 2014, after allegations of inappropriate behaviour surfaced.

The 20 charges involved allegations of sexual impropriety with eight teenage boys from 1992 to 2014.